I don’t even know where to start, This story was so riveting and appalling. The story is far fetched and yet it seems like it’s a possible election away from mostly coming true. Excellently done.

This book was such a hard read so I would recommend checking the trigger warnings for this one. I would say that I enjoyed this book, even though it was a bit slow.

I received an ARC of this direct from the author and then from Netgalley and wow, it didn't disappoint.
I've read Smith's work before, but this is the next level.

*TRIGGER WARNING* - this is not an easy read and nor is this a love story. This is a story that deals with abuse, identity, and a craving for normality when everything is falling apart. Our main character is alone and dealing with the fallout of a world war while fighting for survival in a harsh world where laws and society have crumbled. Unfortunately she is captured and becomes the property of a man who calls himself Will/Daniel who convinces himself he loves her and that she loves him. He is abusive, controlling, gas lighting and narcissistic. I think it would be fair to call him a psychopath.

Anna is the opposite. She hides her true self to remain compliant and has to repeatedly remind herself not to fight back, not to make him angry, not to do anything that might anger him – else she could die.

This is a story about survival in the rawest forms. What we do to survive, how we survive and how it affects us.
The first person narration is uncomfortable at times. We see our main character fall apart in front of us and slowly rebuild into someone new. Their scars and pain clear to all who they might meet.

I liked the way this was broken down into three parts and in each part we see a different side to Anna and the world she lives in. The ‘accompanying cast’ of characters are cleverly layered and rich with their own backstories and pain.

The first person narration is uncomfortable at times. We see our main character fall apart in front of us and slowly rebuild into someone new. Their scars and pain clear to all who they might meet.

The dystopia was an added bonus. It allowed the novel an indulgent quality without distracting from the story. The world has been at war and in part 2 we learn a little as to why and what happened through the stories of townspeople. It’s subtle, but well thought out.

I can't really discuss the plot without spoilers, but part 3 had me on the edge of my seat and I spent hours turning each page, willing for the resolution Anna deserved.

The language is beautiful, almost poetic in some scenes, and this is absolutely a novel for those who enjoy strong female characters who don’t immediately show their strength.



I was thinking about this long after I finished it.

Thank you Rebellion/Netgalley/Sammy

CW: sexual and domestic violence

Anna is a near future dystopia about a woman trying to survive alone in a world where society has completely fallen apart and people live in small, often brutal communities. It starts with Anna being taken captive by an unknown man, what she suffers at his hands and mostly centers on her escape and struggle to recover and reclaim her life and identity for herself. It is dark, thrilling, ultimately triumphant and kept me on the edge of my seat reading, and has sat heavy in my mind ever since. The depiction of Anna's trauma and especially her need to disassociate herself from it felt all too real, as well as her dread of talking about it and fear of being disbelieved. This book was a difficult one for me to read and really resonates with things I've experienced. Anna is a book that stays with you long after you finish reading.

When I first started with this book, I thought I was in for a fast-paced, gripping thriller novel. I couldn't be more wrong. I DNF at 27%. Here's why.

The narrator is captured by a man called Will and assumes the name Anna to convince herself that she wasn't herself anymore and had to be compliant. This is written so so so many times in the book that I felt like smashing my kindle every time I read it. To say that it was overused would be an understatement.

"He called me Anna. I was Anna now. I must remember. They say you can tell someone’s personality from a name. Anna was gracious. Anna was compliant. I had to be Anna."

"Anna, I am Anna, I should be gracious."

"“Anna.” My name again, Anna, submissive and gracious."

"I was Anna, I was weak; Anna didn’t have the strength to try."

"Swallowing my anger and bitter reply I stared blankly at the floor. Anna, I am Anna, only Anna."

WE. GET. IT.

From the book description, we understand that there is a pregnancy involved. I waited patiently for the plot to pick up but it was painfully slow. I honestly felt like I was reading a Wattpad story. The plot sounded really interesting and that was the only reason I kept going until I felt as if I was going to have "I am Anna" nightmares.

Thank you NetGalley & Rebellion for the ARC.

Book Review for Anna by Sammy H.K. Smith
Full review for this title can be found at: @fyebooks on Instagram!

If there was ever a book that should be made into an edge of your seat, nail gripping thriller movie- its Anna!
I demolished this book in one night - turning the pages into the early morning.

Anna is set in a post-apocalyptic world where women are 'owned' by men. We first meet Anna in the woods, where she is captured by Daniel/Will who claims to love her and will protect her from other men. Anna is not her real name and neither do we know Daniel/Will's real name as he changes it based upon the people he meets or deals with.
The story plays out over three chapters and each is more gripping than its predecessor. To give a complete review of each chapter would contain so many spoilers, which would be unfair to future readers.

It truly is an absorbing read and the ending is left open for future novels - I really hope three will be a sequel.